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Skills

R
RMarkdown
SPSS
Shiny Dashboards
Python
NoSQL
SQL
Jupyter Notebooks

Main

Karla Fettich, PhD

I am enthusiastic about using my skills, expertise and time to make a lasting positive impact in the community. Professionally, my work seeks to improve healthcare for aging individuals, and has earned an Excellence in Technology Award for Dignity in Long-Term Care. Personally, I coordinate efforts to increase diversity in the Philadelphia data science community, reduce the number of homeless animals in the city and facilitate care and recovery for those experiencing opioid addiction.

Education

I speak several languages including German (native), Romanian (native), French (basic) and Spanish (basic).

PhD, Brain and Cognitive Science

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA

2016 - 2011

MA, Social Sciences/Psychology

The University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

2009 - 2008

BA, Psychology

Jacobs University Bremen

Bremen, Germany

2005 - 2002

Industry Experience

Head of Algorithm Development

Orchestrall, Inc.

Conshohocken, PA

present - 2015

  • Develop algorithms to power intelligent applications that address health care needs for elderly individuals, including prediction of toileting need to prevent incontinence, anomaly detection and performance tracking to improve data collection
  • Conduct end-to-end analyses including requirements specification, data collection, identification of external datasets, data processing, analysis, ongoing deliverables, and presentations
  • Implement analytical models into production through collaborations with the software development team
  • Build and prototype analysis pipelines iteratively, integrating feedback from business and development management, to provide insights at scale

Research Experience

Graduate Research Assistant

Neurocognition Lab

Temple University

2016 - 2014

  • Introduced and applied machine learning techniques (e.g. support vector machines, multivoxel pattern analysis, graph theory, network analysis) and high performance computing tools to advance neuroimaging research
  • Assessed new data sources for value creation, attracting new research opportunities through a large, multi-site research network
  • Evaluated and communicated technical advantages and tradeoffs between statistical models
  • Solved difficult, non-routine analysis problems using large, complex data sets, and applied advanced analytical methods as needed
  • Provided guidance with data analysis and coding to research assistants

Graduate Clinical Research Assistant

Mechanisms of Affect Dysregulation Lab

Temple University

2013 - 2011

  • Supported and executed a wide range of clinical psychology studies including survey research, clinical treatment trials, neuroimaging studies, and secondary data research
  • Designed and conducted a neuroimaging research study assessing affective risk factors in clinical populations
  • Collaborated with the research coordinator, graduate and undergraduate students, as well as researchers from other sites to deliver high-quality peer-reviewed publications and academic conference presentations

Lead Clinical Research Coordinator

Adult Eating and Weight Disorders Clinic

The University of Chicago

2011 - 2009

  • Planned and conducted statistical analyses of cross-sectional, time series, epidemiological, health outcomes and clinical data
  • Optimized clinical participant recruitment and retention through data analytics
  • Coordinated recruitment, screening, intake, assessment, treatment and follow-up stages several research projects, including a large NIMH-funded clinical trial and pilot studies using psychophysiological data (fMRI, RSA)
  • Contributed to manuscript preparation for peer-reviewed publications and gave conference presentations

I have extensive experience with academic research, including clinical trials and studies using neuroimaging and psychophysiological data.

Teaching Experience

Graduate Teaching Assistant and Lab Instructor

Statistics

Temple University

2014

  • Taught weekly introductory statistics lab sections (75 undergraduate students) with positive student feedback
  • Provided one-on-one tutoring and exam preparation on an as-needed basis
  • Administered and corrected exams and liaised between students and the course instructor

Community Data Projects

I enjoy learning via hands-on projects that have a real and positive impact, and I seek to create opportunities to make this type of learning available to the wider community.

Partner Organization Liaison

PAWS Animal Returns & Clinic No-Shows

R-Ladies Philadelphia

present - 2020

  • Work with the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society’s Director of Operations to understand their needs and translate them into relevant analytics projects
  • Collaborate with project leader and team members and provide input on analyses and interpretations
  • Conduct ad-hoc analyes and data exploration

Project Leader

PAWS Data Pipeline with Code for Philly

Code for Philly

present - 2019

  • Work closely with project management team, peer data scientists, engineers, developers and Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society representatives to build a data lake
  • Oversee team efforts in data processing, cleansing, and verifying data integrity

Organizer

Opioid Epidemic Data Science Collaboration

R-Ladies Philadelphia, Code for Philly

2020

  • Collaborated with organizing team to develop vision, strategy and infrastructure for hackathon, and ensure successful event planning
  • Identify relevant data sources and preprocess data provided by partner organizations
  • Oversee teams and ensure that they are on track for the project deadlines

Datathon Project Leader

2018 Volunteer Engagement and 2019 Animal Adoptions

R-Ladies Philadelphia

2019 - 2018

  • Consulted with Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society representatives to articulate business questions and translate them into viable analytics projects for volunteer data scientists
  • Designed hackathon and managed the end-to-end process, from initial discussions with PAWS, recruitment of volunteers, ongoing monitoring and coordination of work, and final report editing and completion
  • Ensured that statistically-derived insights were translated into clear and actionable business recommendations

Selected Publications

Volunteer Work

Organizer

R-Ladies Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA

present - 2018

  • Collaborate with a team of 5 other organizers to increase gender diversity in the data science community in Philadelphia
  • Create learning, networking and leadership opportunities for over 800 members via monthly meetups focused on R and collaborations with other data groups in the city

Executive Committee Member, Membership Lead

Young Friends of Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society

Philadelphia, PA

present - 2019

  • Work with the executive leadership team and the Board of the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society to create and grow a group that engages young professionals in the animal welfare efforts of PAWS
  • Oversee membership engagement, define and monitor success metrics using analytics

Volunteer, Mentor

Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

Philadelphia, PA

present - 2016

  • Help with dog care and train new volunteers on all aspects of dog care volunteer shifts

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Last updated on 2020-02-24.